It’s no secret that the New York Yankees perpetually seek new arms to bolster their pitching staff. But this Spring Training, surprising contenders have emerged—not from lucrative free agent signings but from the team’s very own farm system.
From power hitters to steady starters, a fresh wave of Yankees prospects is turning heads and opening up intriguing possibilities for the 2024 season and beyond.
Depth is key for any contending rotation, and as The New York Post has reminded us, Cody Poteet and Cody Morris are showing they may have what it takes.In a recent Spring Training outing, they held the Minnesota Twins scoreless over four innings with six strikeouts—a sign of the potential they bring as options off the bench.
USA Today via Reuters
Known for his bat handling, infield prospect Jorbit Vivas is making a different kind of statement this spring. Back-to-back home runs, including a game-clinching three-run shot, have caught manager Aaron Boone’s eye.
“He’s interesting,” Boone noted. “[I’m] excited to see more of him.” With his versatility at second and third, Vivas could be a dark horse breakout candidate. The rotation’s not their only stage; these youngsters are lighting up the field as well.
Spencer Jones, the New York Yankees’ top prospect, is living up to the hype. The lefty outfielder, often compared to Aaron Judge for his power and size, blasted a 470-foot pinch-hit home run in his Spring Training debut.
“I just want to play baseball and do what I do,” Jones said, hinting at a focused and powerful force in the outfield. While the buzz is high on those making immediate impacts, prospects Chase Hampton and Will Warren are viewed as longer-term investments.
Hampton, with a high-spin fastball and a knockout slider, has the makings of a No. 3 starter, according to MLB.com. Warren’s ground ball-inducing style and improving command point to the possibility of a mid-season call-up. Both are reasons why General Manager Brian Cashman was unwilling to part with these talents in recent trade talks.
The Future of the New York Yankees
This spring, the Yankees are proving their farm system is more than just a trade asset—it’s their future. Prospects aren’t just filling gaps; they’re generating the kind of excitement reserved for big-name signings. While some will reach the majors sooner than others, this crop could reshape the Yankees’ pitching outlook for years to come.
Spring Training is where underdogs shine, but the performances of young New York Yankees like Poteet, Morris, Vivas, and Jones suggest they’re not just out to impress; they could change the trajectory of the 2024 team. And with future aces Hampton and Warren waiting in the wings, this could mark the start of a promising new era for Yankees pitching.
